Soar-Dream-France: January 2015

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January 2015

January 18, 2015

Magical Moments...

...of light and love when the universe speaks.

Posted at 12:13 PM in Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 16, 2015

...to St. Therese of Lisieux. Dad came out of his second surgery in two weeks doing very well. We're crossing everything we own that this procedure will get everything flowing and working again. It's times like these when I miss my very own St. Therese who is living at the Chatette. I hate to say it, but I'd be tempted to carry her around in my back pack with me on this trip just to be ready!

Posted at 01:08 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, France Life, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 15, 2015

Shrimp or Ham?

Sam loves shrimp, but she won't turn down a snippet of ham either. As you can see, she was patiently awaiting her share of the ham sandwiches from Sunday evenings get together with Eric and Stew. Had that been shrimp on the table...Sam would have been there too! Missing my girl. I look for her here on 411, but I know she's much happier home on Columbus Street.

Posted at 12:38 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, Food and Drink, New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 14, 2015

Road Remnants

By the time I stopped for gas in Osceola, Arkansas last night (the same Shell that Mike and John and I hit on our way home); I knew I needed something hot and sweet to keep me going. I love those sweet flavored cappuccinos when I'm on the road, and one of these cupcakes hit the spot. Yes, just one. (I was very proud of myself...I could actually have the other one this morning.) By the time I got to a favorite stop in Perryville, Missouri to top off the gas and get a gallon of milk for my coffee this morning...I decided I had to try the new triple cheeseburger at their McDonald's. It wasn't quite as tasty as the cupcake, but it was warm and satisfying and probably helped to get me to 411 last night. I was pulling in the drive at 9:30. On to this day-Love to all.

Posted at 03:05 PM in Food and Drink, Just One..., Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 13, 2015

Places to go...

..people to see, and probably not much time to sit still while I'm in Ferguson. I'll be stopping on the blog over the next week so I can focus on whatever needs to be done with my family. See you when I return!

Posted at 11:12 AM in New Orleans NOW, Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 12, 2015

The Richest

There are lots of ways to "be rich". When a friend of mine would tell people he knew that I had a house in France; they would say: "She must be rich." It always made me laugh. I'd tell him: "I'm not rich in money, but certainly rich in experiences." Last night reminded me once more that there is another area of "richness" in my life...my friendships.

With everything that is going on for my family with my Dad right now, everyone has been wonderful. As yesterday wore on and I'd gotten done most of what I needed to do; I thought it might be nice to have Eric and Stew come over for an easy supper with me...chili, ham and swiss cheese sandwiches, and ice-cream and cookies. We sat at the round table where it was warm. We giggled. We told stories. We dissed a woman who'd done me wrong. And we shared a lot about our parents. Stew's are both gone. Eric's 94 year old Mom lives on the upstairs side of their double. And me, for now I have both in assisted living at Hidden Lake. It was a great few hours of laughing, crying, and the grand love of friends. The guys left with a ham sandwich and container of chili in tow for Eric's Mom. She doesn't get out much anymore, but we always like to try to make sure she feels included by sending home some of the goodies for her to enjoy as if she were here with us. These are the blessings of my life!

I shot the photo of Eric and Stew on a visit to the Chatette, and Eric took this shot of me hanging out of the side window of the Chatette in my overalls with wine in hand. Like I said...friendship and experiences!

Posted at 12:01 PM in Fabulous Friends, Food and Drink, Mélange-ing Magic, New Orleans NOW, Overalls and More, Photography | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 11, 2015

Where Am I?

Even though I'm on a mission and I'm very clear about what I have to do over the next couple of days; I'm not present. I'm going through the motions, making lists, setting clothes and work aside to take, and getting Sammie cat's carrier ready to hit the road again. You see, I'm sitting on the bench with my Daddy with my arm around him. We will smile again. Thank you to everyone for your love and support and I'll try to keep you posted on how he does and we do over the next week or so.

Posted at 01:00 PM in Fabulous Family, Just One..., Mélange-ing Magic | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 10, 2015

Equality or Not?

Yesterday was a big day for Marriage Equality in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit heard arguments from plaintiff's attorneys that could overturn the ban on same sex unions in each of the three states. Although it will be some time before the decision is made; the mood at the court was one of excitement, positivity, history-making, and more.

I'd known that yesterday was the day. On our way back to New Orleans from the holidays; Mike, John and I had lengthy conversations on the issue with Glenn and Bill. These friends had to leave their home states to get married.

For some reason, I didn't realize that it was all happening right here in New Orleans. When Mike mentioned early yesterday morning that he was on his way to the 5th Circuit; I decided to head down on my bike. I thought I had more than enough time to get there in advance of the 9am start time. We got parked. I got to the security check point.

I emptied everything I could carry in my pockets, expecting no problems, but I was very nicely told that my camera could not come in to the court. Now, cell phones were permitted. I tried that argument...cell phones take photos, why not my camera. He said: "Those are the rules of the court-No cameras." I tried to be charming. "I've come all the way down here on my bike, and I'd have to go all the way back home in the cold." No go. He could see that I was disappointed, and I wasn't really thinking. And then he said: "You might be able to stash it somewhere and go back and get it when you leave."

I had no choice. I took my memory card out of my camera. If I lost the camera, at least I'd have the photos. I scouted a spot, et voila...I put my camera in one of my gloves and shoved it in an out of the way shrub. I then got in with no problems, but a little later than I'd hoped. I was able to sit in one of the over-flow courts to listen to the proceedings. It was a little difficult to hear at times. I was able to stay for the Louisiana presentations, but then had to head home for clients and other appointments. I'd have scheduled my day differently and stayed for the morning, had I known it would break at noon.

It was way too early for many photo ops to be had when I returned to retrieve my camera from the shrub.

I did notice that some of the story was told on the license plates of the news vehicles. Marriage Equality is important. It is a huge issue. Everyone was there to cover the proceedings for their state. At first seeing Arkansas seemed strange, but then I remembered that the area where Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas meet is called "Arklatex". It made perfect sense.

I was happy that I could be there to stand with my friends and to honor what is right, just and non-discriminatory in our state and across the country.

Posted at 03:37 PM in Fabulous Friends and Family, New Orleans NOW, SOAPBOX | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 09, 2015

A Tale of Trash (Cans)

One of the many things the storm taught us; is not to take every day services for granted. Living without phone, internet, utilities, working stop lights, mail delivery...and especially trash pick-up; was quite a challenge. EVERYTHING went out to the huge debris pile in front of the house. It was not very charming or very sanitary, but no other choice was available at the time.

I'm sure you can imagine how excited we were to get these new, spiffy trash cans for our about to begin again trash collection! My address received 2. Within the first year, one of the cans had either disappeared with a pack of tenants or had been stolen. We'd managed with only one up until just November of 2014. Our last can was stolen. We tried everything, but I finally bit the bullet and called to get more cans. I made the report to the police, called again with the item number, and was able to receive 2 since there are two different addresses for this property. I'd been told 2 weeks or so. Or so, had still not occurred when I returned from Ferguson.

As I was about to call again, low and behold...these beauties appeared. I didn't want to put them out until I'd made sure that there would be no doubt who they belonged to...we've got 2617 Columbus, 2617 A Columbus and BOURGEOIS on both cans. Don't get me wrong, I realize that they might still walk. But, at least we're ready and if we see them around the hood again we can retrieve them and bring them HOME.

I was pretty proud of my handiwork, even if it isn't my best artistic effort. Mine looked awfully pretty out there in Tuesday morning's light. They're almost members of the family now. Happy Friday!

Posted at 12:09 PM in New Orleans NOW, New Orleans THEN, Photography, SOAPBOX | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 08, 2015

A Moment of Silence

Here I sit in the early morning in New Orleans. France will observe a moment of silence at noon today, to honor those lives lost in the viscious attack of the offices of the magazine Charlie Hebdo. It's 4am here. At 5am, I too will observe a moment of silence. It's the best that I can do.